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Delameter to run for supervisor's post

By Joe Moskowitz
Saying that, “the people deserve a choice,” Arkville resident Nelson Delameter has decided to challenge incumbent Marjorie Miller for the job of Town of Middletown Supervisor.

Both Delameter and Miller are seeking the Democratic Party nomination, and both are circulating petitions to run as independents. For the first time anyone with the Delaware County Board of Elections can remember, there will probably be a primary election on September 10 to see who gets the Democratic Party nod in Middletown, and since both will probably be on the ballot as independents, they will likely face each other again in the general election on November 5, regardless of who wins the primary.

Retired from state
Delameter recently retired from the Department of Homeland Security for the State of New York. He moved to that position after having served as Delaware County Emergency Services Coordinator. This is the first time he has run for public office.

He says he is running because, “it has been nearly two years since Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, and I haven’t seen much except the loss of tax base.” He says the East Branch Flood Commission was a good start, but it hasn’t had any results. He says he isn’t sure what he can do, but he says he is a “doer” and wants to try and do something.

Miller says she welcomes Delameter into the race, saying, “the more the merrier” and says she looks forward to debating him, if he is willing. She also says she has accomplished quite a bit, including more than 50 new sewer extensions, and gaining planning board approval for the long awaited swimming pool and recreation center to be built in Arkville.

Miller, who was elected in a landslide victory over three opponents in 2011 says, “I love my job, and I hope the people rehire me.”

The Middletown Republican Committee has yet to announce if it will field its own candidate, endorse Delameter or Miller, or stay out of the race. Margaretville Village Trustee Fred Miller is a member of the committee. Marge Miller is his sister.

Running for judge
John Fairbairn III, Esq., Margaretville attorney, has announced he is running for Town of Middletown Justice.

Mr. Fairbairn has been an attorney since 2007 and practices extensively in many courts throughout Delaware County and beyond. Mr. Fairbairn’s practice includes criminal defense, municipal, real estate, wills, and estates.

He currently serves as municipal attorney for the villages of Margaretville and Fleischmanns and the Town of Middletown. If elected judge, Mr. Fairbairn would be required to step down from these positions.

Mr. Fairbairn was born and raised in the greater Middletown area and currently resides outside of Fleischmanns with his wife, Courtney, and two children.

His parents, Dr. John Fairbairn, retired veterinarian, and Sally Fairbairn, are well-known throughout the area as well. Mr. Fairbairn is running as a Democrat.

Longtime Middletown Justice Glen George is no longer serving on the bench following a May 1 ruling by the NYS Commission on Judicial Misconduct that declared him “unfit for judicial office.” Justice George is appealing the ruling, but had previously indicated that health issues would keep him from seeking another term in office.

Margaretville resident David Goodchild, who was appointed to fill a vacant tax assessor’s position last year following the resignation of Michelle Shamro, will be on the ballot seeking a full-term in office. He intends to run on the Democratic and Independent lines.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.